Suppressing thermal quenching of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals by constructing a wide-bandgap surface layer for achieving thermally stable white light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals as promising ultrapure emitters are outstanding candidates for next-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and display applications, but the thermal quenching behavior of light emission has severely hampered their real-world applications. Here, we report an anion passivation strategy to suppress the emission thermal quenching behavior of CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals. By treating with specific anions (such as SO₄²⁻, OH⁻, and F⁻ ions), the corresponding wide-bandgap passivation layers, PbSO₄, Pb(OH)₂, and PbF₂, were obtained. They not only repair the surface defects of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals but also stabilize the phase structure of the inner CsPbBr₃ core by constructing a core–shell like structure. The photoluminescence thermal resistance experiments show that the treated sample could preserve 79% of its original emission intensity up to 373 K, far superior to that (17%) of pristine CsPbBr₃. Based on the thermally stable CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals, we achieved temperature-stable white LED devices with a stable electroluminescence spectrum, color gamut and color coordinates in thermal stress tests (up to 373 K).